Earth Day/Illustrator

When I opened up Google today, the artwork in honor of Earth Day reminded of something that could be created in Illustrator!

Good Brochure Design

I was looking for inspiration for my brochure, and I found this example. It would take some time and consideration, but I don't think it would be too difficult to create with Illustrator and InDesign. I really like how the design covers all three panels on both sides!

Ad Reflection

This is a Clinique ad for high impact mascara. Clinique has a reputation for its simple and effective ads. The visual includes the product shot, utilizing vertical lines. The line and composition are excellent. The stiletto heel complements the mascara's wand. The shiny blacks are dramatic and definitely deliver Clinique's "impact." A headline is not employed, and body copy is minimal. The only text within the ad is the name of the mascara and where to buy it. This text is small so it does not distract from the photo. The ad is targeted at household consumers--women in particular. I can attest to the ad's effectiveness because I use this mascara after seeing it! The quality did not reproduce well, but the actual magazine ad is very clear.

Good Layout Example--Week 12

I thought this was a unique and effective layout for a magazine article!

Working w/ Photoshop & Illustrator--Week 10

1. Use the same size file in both Photoshop and Illustrator when beginning a project.
2. Updates in Photoshop will automatically update in Illustrator but not always vice versa.
3. Conquering the pen tool will make designing much easier.
4. Editing in Photoshop can be tricky. Smart Objects are layers that contain image information from raster or vector files. They allow you to perform nondestructive editing to your layers.
5. You can create a set of actions in both Photoshop and Illustrator. By saving and organizing an action, you can refer back to it and, in seconds, the programs create what took you much longer to initially create.

Bonus--Personal Logo

Logo w/ Text & Symbol--Week 9

This Chanel logo uses both text and the company's symbol. The brand always uses this font, which reflects the line's classic, simple and elegant designs. The interlocking C's are recognizable and often used as a single logo without the CHANEL text. I think that a company that can take text--especially something as simple as two interlocking letters--and transform it into a universally recognizable logo is obviously doing something right!

Vector Images--Week 8

I love paisley, so I thought this was a very fun and creative image that was created in Illustrator. The website where I found it has tons of vector images available for downloading. It allows you to download up to 600 images a month for $30; it has free downloads as well! Here is the link: http://www.vectorious.net/

Illustrator Tutorials--Week 7

Since we are beginning Illustrator, I wanted to work ahead and search for some useful tutorials and tips that I can refer back to in future assignments. I found this website that has lots of different links to Illustrator articles and tutorials. Hope this helps!

http://websitetips.com/graphics/illustrator/

Text Effects

http://www.biorust.com/tutorials/detail/181/en/

Typography Reflection--Week 6

This is the example I used that employs excellent typography.

However, this example does not display good typography whatsoever.

Here is my reflection:
Good Example
· File name for good example: amazon-rock.jpg

· Source of example: bestphotoshoptutorials.net

· Elements of design exhibited: white space, color, shape

· Why you feel this item is effective: This advertisement combines multiple album covers to create a single letter. Spelling ROCK with these covers is very creative and conveys a simple message to purchase music from amazon.com. Color and shape are used effectively within the white space. The white space is appropriate because of the simplicity of the ad.

· Who is the target audience? The target audience is music lovers. Amazon wants to reach customers interested in a variety of music for low prices.


Bad Example
· File name for bad example: sushi.jpg

· Source of example: www.areyousustainable.org

· Elements of design exhibited (or not exhibited): no white space, bad color

· Why you feel this item is ineffective: This entire ad is ineffective. White space would be a good idea rather than stretching the entire photo. The typography is too plain, and the simple font is not attractive to its audience. Anyone can add text to a photo, so nothing about the ad is interesting or appealing.

· Who is the target audience? The target audience includes the environmentally conscious. The purpose of this ad is to promote sustainability.

Typography--Week 5

While I was working on my typography practice and reflection, I found this Photoshop website. It shows 40 examples of good typography within advertising. There are some amazing ones, and I hope that I can become this skilled in Photoshop techniques!

http://bestphotoshoptutorials.net/2009/03/19/40-examples-of-beautiful-typography-in-advertising-design/

Photoshop Disaster--Week 4

Here is a link to an article about another Photoshop disaster/controversy that surfaced this fall. I am still new to Photoshop, but I don't think most beginners would even make this mistake! The Ralph Lauren model's head is obviously larger than the rest of her body. Photoshop is a wonderful tool, but should it be used for such extreme manipulations?


http://abcnews.go.com/Technology/AheadoftheCurve/11-photo-editing-flubs-digitally-altered-photo-disasters/story?id=8780937

Color--Week 3

This photo was taken during sunset in Paris. The colors within every component are enhanced to produce an amazing image. The sunset is obvious, yet serves as a subtle backdrop. The cars are blurred to create an obvious movement. The road also creates a leading line to the Arc de Triomphe, which is transformed from stone into an eyecatching green color by the lights and the sunset.

Composition Assignment--Week 2

Simplicity is popular among wedding photographers to capture a specific moment or aspect of a wedding. The black and white allow for greater detail and contrast in the photo. This shows a glimpse of the bride while focusing on the details of her dress. Nothing else is in the photograph to take away from the overall quality.

Composition Assignment--Week 2

This photograph exemplifies the rule of thirds. Three zones--grass, water and sky--allow natural progression for the eye. The tree is also on a vertical interest line. The water and shoreline create a leading line to the sunset as well.

Composition Assignment--Week 2

This is an excellent example of framing as well as an excellent photo! The little girl is centered and framed by the door. The visual impact of this photo is supported by simple black and white that allow for even greater detail. Since it is taken in dim light from the inside, any color from outside would detract attention from the girl.

Proportion & Dominance--Week 1

Here is another advertisement for the iHome that uses proportion and dominance as its main graphic design elements. The larger white iHome is the dominant image. It's proportion is obviously larger than those surrounding it, which allows it to show all of the iHome's features.

Contrast--Week 1

This advertisement for iPhone is a good example of utilizing contrast to emphasize and relay the ad's message. The black and white contrast with each other as well as with the "not so nano-chromatic" heading. These elements create a simple, yet effective advertisement that affirm the differences in the new phone.